World Records Broken at Bonhams Belgian Sale

Bonhams held their 6th annual Zoute Sale on the sunny Belgian coast. The sale was a triumph, with 82% of lots selling both by value and lot, and lengthy bidding battles taking place between international buyers on the phone, online and in the Bonhams marquee at the Zoute Grand Prix. A total of €7,930,343 was realised overall, and several world records broken.

The top lot of the evening was the absolutely concours-condition 1962 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series V’ Vantage Sports Saloon which sold for a world record-beating €1,212,250 to a European bidder in the packed saleroom. The timelessly elegant and mint condition 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Series II Pininfarina Coupé (€600,000-800,000) exceeded its pre-sale estimate and sold for an impressive and similarly world record-breaking €989,000 to a European buyer in the room.

The 1973 Citroën DS23 IE Décapotable sold for €425,500, one of only 4 produced by Chapron, and a further highlight was the jaw-droppingly beautiful 1954 Arnolt-Bristol Roadster (€340,000-380,000), which had been attracting admiring gazes throughout previews. It too exceeded its estimate and achieved €391,000.

British marques were popular with the assembled bidders, with the 1958 AC Ace Roadster selling for €322,000 to a bidder in the room, and the 1956 Austin-Healey 100M Factory ‘Le Mans’ Roadster achieving €184,000.

The 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow originally owned by Muhammad Ali realised more than double its pre-sale estimate, achieving a total of €132,250 against a pre-sale estimate of €40,000-60,000.

Philip Kantor, European Head of Motoring, commented: ‘We are absolutely delighted with this year’s sale results. The Zoute sale is a highlight of the historic motoring scene in Europe, and we are thrilled to have achieved such fantastic results once again. The saleroom was crowded with enthusiastic bidders from across the continent, and the prices realised reflect the continued desire for classic and collectors’ motor cars in exemplary condition and underlines the importance of carefully curating a sale.’